49ers vs. Packers: Why Green Bay Will Hit the Ground Running

Having both made their own runs into the playoffs last season, the Week 1 fixture between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers promises to be one of the must-watch encounters of the opening fixtures.

Many predict that these two teams will clash in the NFC Championship Game later on in the campaign, so Sunday might give us a glimpse of what we’re in store for come January.

However, while the meeting of two NFL powers holds the potential for a highly entertaining game, it will be the hosts that take home the glory at Lambeau Field.

This matchup could easily set the tone on which both sides go into the rest of their 2012 season, and while a loss isn’t the end of the term for either party, morale and momentum would certainly benefit more from the W.

With that in mind, only one side will come out on top of the clash and here’s why it will be the Packers that get off to a flying start.

Defensive Reinforcements

Based on 2011 records, this matchup sees one of the NFL’s overall best defences go up against one of the league’s worst.

Teams found it incredibly easy to slice through the Packers’ defensive line at times, so much so that the Cheeseheads finished the year with the most yards allowed per regular-season game at 411.6.

They’ve gone about their business to resolve that tally in the offseason.

The Packers used their first five picks in the 2012 NFL Draft to bring in defensive players, including the considerable frame of Nick Perry, who went in the first round.

It’s too early to say whether or not Green Bay can completely reverse their fortunes of the last season, as it will take time for new acquisitions to settle in.

However, they definitely appear to be in a better position than they were in this time last year and have all the tools needed to improve.